Thursday, April 12, 2012

Russia's space programme on course

Mikhail Aristov

12.04.2012, 17:50

Russia is preparing for the next stage of space exploration, and for the implementation of an ambitious programme to build a number of new generation space ships, as well as to upgrade the country’s cosmodromes. It is planned that by 2020, 90 per cent of all the Russian space launchings will be on the country’s territory.

Russia is preparing for the next stage of space exploration, and for the implementation of an ambitious programme to build a number of new generation space ships, as well as to upgrade the country’s cosmodromes. It is planned that by 2020, 90 per cent of all the Russian space launchings will be on the country’s territory. The Baikonur cosmodrome, constructed during the Soviet era has remained the major launching pad for Russia, but in 1991, Kazakhstan on whose territory the Baikonur is located became an independent state. Every year, Russia pays 165 million dollars in rent to Astana for the use and maintenance of the cosmodrome, says Alexander Alexandrov, a pilot and cosmonaut, twice Hero of the USSR and an adviser to the Russian President on scientific matters.